OSHA, Lamar Renew Alliance for Worker Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today renewed its Alliance with Lamar Outdoor Advertising to promote safety and health among vulnerable workers, young workers and workers in the construction and transportation industries.

“OSHA and Lamar have collaborated in promoting nationwide awareness of heat illness prevention, struck-by hazards, work stand-downs and distracted driving,” says Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels. “Our renewed Alliance will continue our commitment to provide training, educational and outreach tools that promote worker safety.”

During the two-year agreement, the Alliance will develop an outdoor advertising safety and health training presentation for OSHA compliance officers and will promote other OSHA activities, including National Emphasis Programs and the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.

“Lamar is very excited to be part of the Alliance Program. We believe that the Alliance between Lamar and OSHA represents a real opportunity to advance safety education within our industry,” says Corporate Safety Director for Lamar Advertising Co. Chuck Wigger. “In addition, we look forward to promoting agency initiatives and training opportunities for agency staff.”

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections or any other enforcement benefits. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html.

Six Appointed to Advisory Committee on Construction Safety, Health

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has appointed four new members and re-appointed two current members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. They will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government.

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The newly appointed and re-appointed members will join nine other current members serving the remainder of their terms on the committee.

“The new ACCSH members have a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a breadth of safety and health issues spanning the construction industry,” says Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We want good, safe jobs for American workers, and I am confident that these new members – representing the views of labor, management, government and the public – will use their expertise to provide valuable advice and recommendations toward our shared goal.”

Two members represent the public:

• Jeremy Bethancourt, co-owner and program director, Arizona Construction Training Alliance, Scottsdale, Ariz. (new)

• Letitia K. Davis, director, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston (current)

Five members represent employees:

• Roger Erickson, mobilization, optimization, stabilization and training administrator, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, Kansas City, Kan. (new)

• Walter A. Jones, occupational safety and health associate director, Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America, Washington, D.C. (re-appointed)

• Gary L. Batykefer, administrative director, Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust, Pittsburgh, Pa. (current)

• Laurie A. Shadrick, training specialist, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Arlington, Va. (current)

• Erich J. (Pete) Stafford, director, safety and health, Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, Silver Spring, Md. (current)

Five members represent employers:

• Kristi K. Barber, president, Glen C. Barber and Associates Inc., Rapid City, S.D. (new)

• Donald L. Pratt, president and CEO, Construction Education & Consulting Services of Michigan, Auburn, Mich. (new)

• Kevin R. Cannon, safety and health services director, Associated General Contractors of America, Arlington, Va. (current)

• Thomas Marrero, safety manager, Zenith Systems LLC, Seven Hills, Ohio (current)

• William E. Hering, environmental health and safety corporate manager, SM Electric Co. Inc., Rahway, N.J. (current)

Two members represent state governments:

• Steven D. Hawkins, assistant administrator, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Nashville, Tenn. (re-appointed)

• Charles Stribling, occupational safety and health federal-state coordinator, Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Workplace Standards, Frankfort, Ky. (current)

One member was appointed by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Matt Gillen, construction program coordinator and senior scientist, Centers for Disease Control –National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, D.C. (current)

McCarthy Recognized as 'Fit Friendly' by AHA

McCarthy Building Companies Inc., an employee-owned construction company, recently was recognized as a Platinum-levelFit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association, improved from the firm’s Gold-level recognition in 2011. McCarthy was recognized during the association’s 2012 Metro St. Louis Heart Walk in May, with the award presented on June 26 in McCarthy’s St. Louis headquarters. Fit-Friendly Companies are recognized by the association as employers who go above and beyond when it comes to employee health.

“McCarthy recognizes the importance of a healthy workplace for its employees and has taken important steps to create a culture of physical activity in the workplace,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Promoting a wellness culture by providing support to employees and implementing physical, nutritional and sculptural changes are extraordinary efforts, and we commend McCarthy and its employees.”

Developed and launched in 2010, McCarthy Build for Life is designed to encourage all employees and their families to strive toward optimal mental, physical, financial and emotional well-being, while - at the same time - controlling healthcare costs over the long term. The program focuses on four key areas: awareness, prevention, activity and lifestyle and stress.

Designed as a grassroots program, McCarthy Build for Life is supported by Wellness Champions in each McCarthy office who communicate to employees in their region. Key McCarthy Build for Life program features include:

• Opportunities for employees and their spouse/partner to earn points for completing proactive, health-related activities that will be directly applied toward reduced medical insurance premiums
• Annual Activity Challenge that promotes healthy competition across all company division offices
• Quarterly wellness newsletter delivered to homes of all employees, in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, and discount subscriptions to other health-related publications
• Complimentary health screenings for McCarthy employees and spouses/partners, including blood pressure screening, BMI/waist circumference checks, cholesterol/HDL/Glucose screenings, and Prostate Specific Antigen screenings
• Wellness areas in all main office locations and at all-employee biannual meetings featuring material on health, nutrition, activity, and stress/lifestyle management
• Regular educational wellness webinars available to employees and their families
• Wide array of company-sponsored wellness employee events.